Chapter 4 - Heating Bills, Internet Thrills, and Other Yukon Surprises

A familiar sight in a Yukon home…as long as you had the time, patience and energy to sustain it, it was the way to go through those long cold winters! Definitely the cozy option!

Okay, now let’s get realistic. Those financial perks were wonderful, but like anything else, there’s another side to the story… the cost of living.

You might be surprised by this, but not everything in the Yukon was dramatically more expensive than here in beautiful British Columbia — where “bring cash” is exactly what it sounds like. Some things were shockingly comparable. But others? Oh yes… definitely pricier.

Groceries

Groceries were the first thing I noticed. Yes, they were more expensive — especially fruit and vegetables — and they weren’t nearly as fresh by the time they reached us. That part makes perfect sense. But honestly? Many prices were surprisingly similar to BC. Higher, yes… but not the jaw‑dropping shock I expected.

Heating — The Real Budget Breaker

Heating, on the other hand, was the real “hold‑onto‑your‑wallet” moment.

With no natural gas available, everyone relied on oil, electric, or wood with propane and pellet heat also in the mix. Wood was the cheapest (and the coziest), but also the messiest and most work. Not ideal for everyone.

Oil and electric heat were very close in price… and both were expensive. I wish I still had the receipts because I remember nearly falling over backward at the cost of keeping warm for a single month. OUCH doesn’t even begin to cover it.

I vividly remember my first winter there when I was splitting the cost of the heating with the Landlord! The first bill he gave me I honestly thought he was kidding! He was not…and remember, that was only my half!! He was paying the other half so ya, from there on in I made sure to negotiate the cost of heating! It really could add up, and very painfully so.

The Internet — A Whole Adventure of Its Own

And then… the internet.

When Netflix first launched one of their “unlimited movies” deals, the kids were thrilled. Unlimited movies for a great price? Yes please.

Until the internet bill arrived.

Over $500. Due in 30 days. In the Yukon, you paid for every bit of data you used — and streaming movies was basically lighting money on fire.

I will never forget the looks on the kids’ faces when I showed them the first Internet bill after enjoying the unlimited movie fiasco! Luckily for me, my oldest was working a good job and offered to pay the added expense - this also helped to ensure better “binging” habits in the future!

That was our very quick, very painful lesson in northern internet consumption.

Be careful what you click… because up there, it all adds up fast.

Everything Else

As for everything else? It depended on the item. Some things were outrageously more expensive, while others were surprisingly close to BC prices. Even housing was comparable back then — though like everywhere else, it has climbed dramatically since.

So yes, some things were astronomically more expensive… but overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the cost of living, especially compared to Beautiful British Columbia. And honestly, my love for the Yukon made every extra dollar feel worth it.

Next Week… the FUN Begins!

Next week I’m diving into the exciting things to do in Whitehorse — especially in February, when the whole city comes alive after surviving another sometimes‑brutal winter. Everyone is ready for a party, a good time, and the promise of spring creeping closer.

Join me, won’t you? You won’t regret it!

Until next time,

Darlene